Explaining he had always respected Yom Kippur, Grant added: “I started fasting when I was 11, but the traditionhas been there since I remember.

“I’m not a religious person, but I respect the religion and I respect the traditions of thousands of years.

“I had the same problem when I was at Chelsea the day before the game, so I couldn’t train the players and the team travelled without me to Manchester. It was my first game.

“It was never a question that I would be in the dugout at Stoke.

“Unfortunately the day fell on a Saturday, the day of a game. It’s one day in a year and it came on a Saturday. It’s not easy for me.”

Grant confirmed he was sticking with Robert Green, despite the England keeper dropping another clanger in the home defeat by Chelsea a week ago. The Hammers boss said: “We’re doing everything for Robert. He’s a good goalkeeper, but sometimes the best make mistakes.”